Aircraft guidance using localizer capture criteria for rectilinear displacement data

Abstract

Systems and methods for aircraft guidance using a localizer capture criteria for rectilinear displacement data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a rectilinear deviation D between a current aircraft location and a final defined path (FDP) of an aircraft and determining a location at which the aircraft should begin a reposition maneuver based on the rectilinear deviation D. The method starts a reposition maneuver of the aircraft at a location determined based on a relationship between D and characteristics of the aircraft during the reposition maneuver. In some embodiments, the characteristics of the aircraft may include a velocity of the aircraft with respect to ground, an aircraft track angle, a heading of the FDP of the aircraft, a maximum allowed bank angle of the aircraft during a reposition maneuver, and a time allowance for aircraft rollup and rollout.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 752,038, filed May 22, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to systems and methods for runway approach guidance of aircraft, to systems and methods for performing Global Positioning systems, Integrated approach navigation system (IAN), Microwave landing system (MLS), lateral navigation system (LNAV), and Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer reposition maneuvers and more specifically, to a criteria for using rectilinear displacement data to determine the location at which an aircraft should make its approach to a final destination path.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Generally speaking, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) are widely used in the aviation industry to provide guidance to aircraft. Specifically, ILS are often used to provide approach guidance to an aircraft for landing. The syste...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is about systems and methods for providing consistent localizer repositions, including consistent localizer captures. This can reduce or eliminate overshooting during localizer reposition maneuvers, leading to fuel and time savings for airlines. The systems and methods involve determining a location at which an aircraft should begin a reposition maneuver based on characteristics of the aircraft during the reposition maneuver, such as velocity, track angle, and maximum allowed bank angle. The reposition maneuver is then performed based on a relationship between the determined location and the aircraft's current location. This can lead to more efficient use of airspace and reduced congestion at airports.

Problems solved by technology

Localizer repositions with a significant overshoot may waste fuel, may cause discomfort for aircraft passengers, and may make it necessary for air traffic control to widely space incoming aircraft at airfields with parallel runways.

Also turning the aircraft to early may delay the eventual capture of the desired path and result in an undesired over flight of obstacles or protected airspace.

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